Assessment of the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders among primary school children in Cairo

ABSTRACT

This study was done to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency [ID] among primary schoolchildren in Cairo. A stratified random sampling technique covering the five geographic zones of Cairo was used. Data revealed that the goitre rate was 13.5%; being 10.8% among males and 16.2% among females. Prevalence among females was higher than that of males in all categories. Based on the data found by this study, it can be concluded that ID constitutes a mild public health problem among Cairo primary schoolchildren, and a salt iodization programme is highly recommended